2 Brewers’ early trade targets to help Milwaukee win NL Central

The Milwaukee Brewers continue to prove they are the team to beat in the National League Central. After taking down the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night to secure their second straight win of the series, the Brewers moved to 37-21 and kept rolling. The club now holds a commanding six-game lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates atop the NL Central standings.

With the Brewers heading into Wednesday’s series finale looking for a sweep, the conversation is starting to evolve beyond simply staying in first place. Milwaukee has positioned itself as a legitimate contender, but no roster is perfect. As June begins, the organization must identify areas where smart additions could help turn a strong regular-season club into a team capable of winning the division and making an impact in October.

The biggest concerns are easy to spot.

Despite owning one of baseball’s best records, the Brewers have hit only 40 home runs through their first 58 games, the fewest in Major League Baseball. The Brewers have compensated with excellent pitching, strong defense, and an offense that constantly pressures opponents. Brice Turang’s ability to reach base, William Contreras’ steady production, and Pat Murphy’s aggressive style have helped offset the lack of power. Still, manufacturing runs become harder over a six-month season.

The pitching staff presents another challenge. The Brewers’ outstanding 3.17 team ERA ranks among baseball’s best, but injuries continue to test the organization’s depth. Brandon Woodruff remains sidelined with shoulder inflammation, while Angel Zerpa is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Young pitchers such as Jacob Misiorowski and Brandon Sproat have shown promise, but expecting inexperienced arms to carry a division contender through the summer comes with obvious risk.

Fortunately for the Brewers, neither issue requires a franchise-altering blockbuster.

Target No. 1

If Milwaukee wants to address their clearest offensive weakness, Jorge Soler could be the perfect fit.

The Los Angeles Angels sit at 23-38 and appear headed toward yet another disappointing season. That should make veterans on expiring contracts available as the trade deadline approaches, and Soler fits that profile perfectly.

The Brewers’ need for power is impossible to ignore. While the lineup keeps finding ways to score, opposing pitchers have little reason to fear the long ball. Soler would change that immediately.

The veteran slugger has already launched nine home runs and driven in 33 runs despite playing in a struggling Angels offense. His batting average and on-base percentage are unimpressive, but the Brewers would be acquiring him for other reasons. They would be acquiring him to provide a legitimate power threat in the middle of the lineup.

Soler’s presence would create more opportunities for Contreras, Christian Yelich, and Turang while adding a dimension Milwaukee currently lacks. He also brings real postseason experience, including a World Series MVP performance earlier in his career.

The acquisition cost should also remain reasonable. Because Soler is playing on an expiring contract and Los Angeles could be motivated to shed payroll, Milwaukee should be able to complete a deal without sacrificing premium prospects.

The downside is clear. Soler strikes out often, provides limited defensive value, and can disappear offensively for stretches. Even so, few available hitters offer a cleaner solution to the Brewers’ power shortage.

Target No. 2

While Soler would address the lineup, Jack Flaherty could provide valuable insurance for the rotation.

At first glance, Flaherty’s numbers are discouraging. The Detroit Tigers right-hander enters June with a 1-7 record and a 5.31 ERA. Many contenders may focus on those surface numbers and look elsewhere.

Milwaukee’s front office should see a different opportunity.

The underlying metrics tell a more compelling story. Flaherty has struck out 70 batters in 57 2/3 innings, producing an excellent 10.9 strikeouts-per-nine rate. His ability to miss bats remains intact, and poor sequencing, shaky defense, and bad luck appear to have played a role in his struggles.

That profile fits the type of pitcher the Brewers have successfully targeted before.

Milwaukee has consistently maximized arms through pitch-design tweaks, defensive positioning, and strong game planning. Flaherty offers another chance to bet on talent whose market value may be lowered by uneven surface results.

The fit becomes even stronger when we consider the current state of the rotation. Woodruff’s injury has removed an important veteran stabilizer, while younger pitchers are carrying larger workloads than originally expected. Flaherty would provide innings, strikeout upside, and experience without requiring a premium prospect package.

There is risk. His 1.60 WHIP remains concerning, and command issues have contributed to several rough outings. Still, the acquisition cost should remain modest because of his disappointing ERA, poor win-loss record, and expiring contract.

That blend of upside and affordability is precisely the type of profile the club should explore.

The Brewers do not need a dramatic overhaul to win the NL Central. Their six-game lead entering June is proof that this roster has already established itself as the team to beat. However, sustaining that advantage over the next four months will require identifying and addressing weaknesses before they threaten Milwaukee’s grip on the division.

Soler would bring badly needed power to baseball’s lowest home-run-hitting offense. Flaherty would add depth and upside to a rotation navigating injuries and workload concerns.

Neither move would dominate national headlines, but both perfectly capture Milwaukee’s clinical, value-driven formula. If the Brewers hope to turn their strong start into a fourth consecutive NL Central crown—and a staggering fifth division title in just six years—these two early trade targets should be firmly on the front office’s radar.

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